I'm not sure the return on my investment is up to much

[KatyMac]

I've had the chickens 10 days they cost £30 & I've only had 12 eggs

What rate of return is that & when will I be in profit (assuming £1 per half dozen)

I don't do maths

but you will end up loving having them

To work out return assuming your chicken feed costs £1 in the 10 day period:

(£2 - £1) x (100 / £30) = 3.33%

To work out Annualised return just multiply above answer by (365 / 10).

3.33% x (365 /10) = 121.55%

That would be a pretty good return.

They won't lay all year 'tho

Are they all in lay yet?

My last two chickens didn't come into lay for five weeks, now they are we're getting up to 4 eggs a day from the 4 hens - I'm going to have to start knocking on neighbours' doors and sell them!

Are they purebreeds katy? My hybrids have laid all through the winter, bless em.

I use about 2 dozen a week - so I don't think a Silkie & 2 bantams are going to keep me in eggs

Well I had a Silkie & a Silkie cross & 1 died.........but I don't know which one

If you get food at the farmer's markets you can get 25 KG mixed grains for £8.00 that will help too

Well I get half a bag from the egg lady for £1...........

The silky will go broody at the drop of a hat, so if you can, I would suggest adding another chicken, something like a bluebelle or gingernut ranger who will lay better

What's broody & does it matter that it might be a silkie cross?

It just means they decide they want to sit on their eggs, they lay less, and just generally get in the way!!

Silkies are notorious for it - I have 2 hatchmates, one who could care less, and the other who goes broody every 12 weeks, without fail. Silkie crosses could go either way, but I'd prepare for it.

I have had her nearly 2 years - so it hasn't worried/bothered either of us yet - I guess that explains the fewer eggs tho'

Ah I thought you'd had her 10 days!

No - sorry I got 2 new ones (because the silkie/silkie cross died & the one that was left was all by herself) 10 days ago